Islamabad: The Pakistan Telecom Authority on Tuesday suspended mobile broadband services across the country following the arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan. The Pakistan Telecom Authority confirmed that it had suspended mobile broadband across the country on instructions from the Ministry of Interior. Netblocks, an organization that monitors internet outages, said access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube was restricted across Pakistan amid the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Was.
“Some areas have seen total internet shutdowns,” NetBlox said in a report. “Real-time network data shows disruption in effect across all mobile and fixed-line internet providers in Pakistan at the time of writing. The study is taken from an initial sample size of 60 measurements from 30 vantage points across Pakistan,” it added.
The report recommended that disruption could be worked around by using virtual private networks that could bypass “government Internet censorship measures”. “Metrics are consistent with an intentional disruption of centrally enforced service on Pakistan’s national Internet backbone.
The organization said, “NetBlock recommends against the use of network blockades and social media bans to limit political speech, given their disproportionate impact on fundamental rights including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.”
After the arrest of Imran Khan today, protests have been started by PTI workers across Pakistan including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Quetta, Mardan, Bannu and Chilas. PTI workers pelted stones at houses, offices and vehicles, burnt banners and tires and blocked roads.
In Faisalabad, a mob pelted stones at the house of Rana Sanaullah. Prominent journalist Talat Hussain said that PTI protesters are at the GHQ in Rawalpindi and the residence of the Corps Commander Lahore. “They can be seen vandalizing the CC residence,” he added.
Talat cautioned, “After the attacks on GHQ and Corps Commander’s Lahore House, anything can happen now. The first target is to deal with rioters, criminals and those who spread them. Time is short and the situation is very bad.”
Following the arrest of Imran Khan, according to several Pakistani media reports, protesters in Pakistan have entered the army commanders’ compound in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan media reported scenes of complete chaos at the Pakistani Army GHQ. Imran Khan’s supporters entered Peshawar Cantonment raising slogans against the army.
“The first reaction against the arrest of Imran Khan is a massive procession moving towards the army headquarters where there is a high chance of violence and killings. Khan was badly beaten and nearly half-conscious when pushed into a police/army van His lawyers were also beaten up.” Shaheen Sebai, a freelance journalist, tweeted.
There are reports of PTI supporters barging into the residence of an army officer in Cantonment area of Lahore. People storming Army GHQ in Rawalpindi – the absolute seat of power. Sharing this information in a tweet, journalist Murtaza Ali Shah said, “PTI supporters entered the army officer’s house in Lahore Cantt.”
He also shared a video showing a group of men, some with their faces partially covered, entering a gated compound with sticks. Later they were seen using lathis to beat against the walls.
Men in uniform can also be seen on the premises. Protesters stormed the Lahore Corps Commander’s Flag Staff House, once the home of Pakistan’s founder Jinnah.
PTI workers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa led by provincial party president Dr Muhammad Iqbal gathered on the streets of Lakki Marwat district against the arrest of Imran. PTI supporters blocked the Indus Highway by burning tyres.
Meanwhile, PTI supporters downed shutters of shops in Peshawar. Also, after the arrest of Imran Khan, Section 144 was imposed in entire Punjab and Islamabad.
PTI protesters also gathered near the Askari check post outside the cantonment area in Quetta, Dawn reported.
PTI supporters led by Senator Ejaz Chaudhary gather at Liberty Chowk in Lahore. Dawn.com correspondent present at the spot said that the party workers have also blocked Akbar Chowk, Peko Road, Main Canal Road and Faisal Town.
The protesters raised slogans against the coalition government by burning tyres. PTI supporters also tore government banners outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence.
In Karachi, both the lanes of Shayra Faisal were blocked after PTI MNAs and MPAs blocked the roads. There is also news of demonstration in Peshawar’s Hashtnagari.
Protests were also reported at Main University Road, near Old Sabzi Mandi, Banaras Chowk and Al-Asif Square, reports Dawn.